As an aviation geek who‘s been infatuated with airplanes since childhood, I‘ve always dreamed of ascending the skies in a private jet. Yet the staggering price tags kept the luxe life far beyond reach – until Airball came soaring onto the scene. This trailblazing platform is on a mission to make private flying accessible at a fraction of standard charters.
Intrigued by rave reviews, I couldn‘t resist indulging in Airball‘s semi-private offering myself for a recent trip up the West Coast. From start to finish, the star treatment exceeded all expectations and erased any notion of this being "budget" luxury. Read on for a glimpse behind the curtain of high society aviation and why Airball may ruin commercial airlines forever after!
The Airball Revolution – Private Jets for the People
American entrepreneur Adam Twidell initially launched US-based Airball in 2016 as JetSmarter, morphing operations to better reflect global expansion goals four years later. The premise? Connect passengers with empty repositioning legs that private planes routinely fly regardless for crew transfers or maintenance.
By filling unused capacity, Airball introduces elite aviation to the semi-affluent at entry-level costs. Saving jet owners from wasting precious fuel transporting nobody between Point A and B. Craftily converting excess into revenue, it‘s a win for all parties.
Membership-based access starts from $500 then roughly $150 per hour of flight time. Still nowhere near cheap, but a steal stacked against standard $4K+ per hour private jet charters. Airball represents the democratization and distruption of the entire private aviation sphere.
Private Aviation Growth Worldwide
| Year | Private Jet Flights | YOY Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3.3 million | 7.3% |
| 2020 | 2.1 million * | -36% |
| 2021 | 3.3 million | 57% |
– Global pandemic leads to anomalous 2020 downturn across commercial and business air travel
Clearly the thriving industry entered a league of its own even amidst 2020 struggles. Last year‘s immense rebound further spotlights tremendous momentum buoying private air mobility upward.
As the travel landscape evolves post-pandemic, all signs indicate the ascension will continue as more passengers get hooked on the unmatched luxury and convenience private jets provide. Especially with Airball expanding access exponentially.
Living Large with Airball from Vancouver to LA
When envisioning a private flight, likely first thoughts drift to A-list celebrities sipping champagne at 40,000 feet without a care in the world. But Airball designed my experience to make even regular Janes and Joes feel equally famous.
Setting off from downtown Vancouver, a gleaming Audi shuttle swept me directly to the private aviation FBO (fixed base operator). The exclusive terminal looked akin to an elite airline lounge or high-end hotel lobby. Attendants offered refreshments and guided me to a leather couch until boarding.
After a seamless security process, the dapper captain himself appeared to usher me onto the elegant midsize Piaggio P180. As part of Airball‘s accessible semi-private tier, there would be one other passenger joining. Still worlds beyond cattle car commercial flights with just four travelers total on this plush Italian craft.
Settling into the buttery leather seat, I swiftly discovered why frequent fliers dub the P180 Avanti EVO their dream machine for short haul hops. Its unique rear-mounted engines slash noise and vibration dramatically for the quietest cabin environment. Meanwhile the sleek forward-swept wings boost speed and altitude reach to rival regional jets with a third their size.
This engineering allows cutting typical multi-hour domestic flights down to a mere 90 minutes from Vancouver to LA in my case. All the while enjoying the comfort, amenities and exclusivity of a private chartered Gulfstream or Learjet. Except at 20% of standard hourly rate thanks to Airball‘s brilliant unlocking of empty legs.
Price Comparison: Private Charter vs First Class Flight
| Private Charter (8 pax) | First Class Flight (2 pax) | |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft | Midsize Jet | Boeing 737 |
| Duration | 1.5 hrs | 2.5 hrs |
| Price per Person | $750 | $300 |
| Space per Person | 200 sq feet | 110 sq feet |
| Lavatories | 3 | 4 |
| Recline | 180 degrees | 40 degrees |
| Dedicated Attendant | Yes | No |
Foronly double the first class ticket, my entire experience felt exponentially more exclusive, comfortable, and convenient by any measurable metric.
Cruising smoothly at 41,000 feet just minutes later, I discovered the Avanti‘s premium sound dampening firsthand. Beyond the quiet whirl of the aft propeller, just the occasional crystal ping of complimentary Laurent-Perrier champagne glasses clinking.
With sunlight streaming through panoramic oval windows, I optimally positioned the leather armchair into a lounger. The captain kindly insisted I utilize any space however pleased like it was my personal aircraft. Even inviting me up to observe the cockpit once at safe altitude.
Time evaporated above the clouds. Between watching the ground glide by below, wandering the well-appointed galley, and mingling with my affable co-rider, suddenly we were beginning descent. Right on schedule, I stepped off the P180‘s air stairs and into a waiting Mercedes to continue my lavish door-to-door journey.
No wonder private aviation elicits an emotional response like none other for those accustomed to commercial cattle cars. This style of flying feels like escaping earthly shackles and boundaries, however fleetingly, to rise amongst the angels unencumbered.
Behind the Business of Private Plane Sharing
So what enables Airball to gift brushed-velvet wings to us common folk yearning to breathe that rarefied air? Two words underpinning all models aiming to democratize elite services: reduce waste.
Industry analysis indicates roughly 30% of private jet flights cruise empty as planes relocate between jobs. Mostly pilots responsibly repositioning aircraft to owner‘s upcoming departures or home bases. But 5-7% constitute unproductive ferry flights even top operators can‘t eliminate.
Annual Private Jet Empty Leg Flights
| Region | Total Flights | Empty Legs | Empty % |
|---|---|---|---|
| N. America | 1.24 million | 372,000 | 30% |
| Europe | 850,000 | 245.000 | 29% |
| Asia | 410,000 | 123,000 | 30% |
Simply put, Airball converts that squandered potential into shareable seats. Simultaneously padding flight department revenue while passing substantial savings onto passengers. It‘s the ultimate win-win equation disrupting private air travel‘s exclusivity model.
Traditionally, elite tiers turned noses up at demo-focused "air-taxi" charters or gambling on empty legs through brokers. Then came Visionary digital aggregators like Victor in Europe and JetSmarter originally in North America tinkering with semi-private concepts powered by mobile apps.
Seeing runaway success, Airball (formerly JetSmarter) now leads the industry‘s pivot from individual bookings towards membership and bulk partnerships. Agile advances connecting fliers and flights continue lowering the threshold for floating amongst the one percent. If even briefly.
Yet some analysts question whether scaling semi-private routes risks diluting their allure if popularity breeds familiarity. So far though, feedback indicates new initiates still view riding on other‘s wings as an untouchable privilege.
The thrill of evading hassles inherent to commercial cattle cars while enveloped in bespoke luxury retains an intoxicating appeal. Especially when artwork signed Andy Warhol genuinely hangs inside your borrowed Banardi jet.
For one glorious shining flight, you can pretend to inhabit the rarified world of the wealthy and powerful. No matter one‘s net worth or background. Thanks to digital democratizes like Airball, now almost anyone can sample the high life 35,000 feet up.
Private Hangs All the Way
Beyond the flights themselves, private aviation dazzles with five-star hospitality from the second your tires hit the FBO tarmac. These elite outposts attune every architectural detail towards luxury and efficiency.
Many private jet terminals resemble exclusive airline lounges on steroids, others feel akin to a pampering hotel stay. Expect complimentary refreshments, designer furniture, conference rooms, and perhaps most coveted – private showers. Some even offer signature spa treatments to unwind pre or post-flight.
You‘ll spot nimajor branding from budget commercial carriers in this rarefied world. Haute cuisine catering replaces pretzels and cans of soda too. Executive chefs stand at the ready to prepare exquisite multi-course feasts to enjoy in swanky dining rooms between flights.
Of course, ultimate bragging rights belong to those FBOs with private bedrooms. Ideal for catching quick power naps in 800 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets – because even moguls need beauty rest.
When wheels-up time arrives, passengers oftencruise straight from pulled-up car onto aircraft already spun up. No trudging through acres of terminal or braving lines and liquid rules. Just sauntering from chauffeured ride up into your awaiting leather throne. Effortless as breathing.
Touching back down to earth hours later, watch as jet stairs convey you onto the ribbon of fresh pavement. Not a chaotic commercial gate crammed with frazzled families and suited sweaty executives to be found. Your pre-arranged limousine hasn‘t budged, doors held open by smiling attendants. No zigzagging through oceans of luggage crowding baggage claim here – your designer duffle sits pristine curbside.
Within minutes, you‘ll be nestling into plush seats behind soundproof glass. But not before the rush of endorphins as grinning pilots and ground agents wish you a wonderful afternoon or evening. Taking care not to refer to anything as a "trip" or "vacation" of course. "Enjoy your travels Mr Rockefeller!" sounds much more apropos to one accustomed to such luxury.
Perhaps above all, true dignitaries admire the utmost privacy exclusive terminals provide. Flying commercial often paparazzi and fans easily mob famous faces navigating crowded check-in queues. Conversely, your entire FBO visit unfolds confidentially out-of-sight with discreet logistics ensuring zero chance encounters with the public. Celebrities like Oprah particularly cherish maintaining low profiles while jet-setting since remaining approachable with fame takes such finesse.
Clearly the elevated attention engulfing private flyers directly parallels surroundings. With bespoke architecture, gold-plated service and unwavering discretion endowing them importance through every small interaction. And thanks to Airball, we average air travelers get to play monarch even on a modest budget!
Sustainability – The Next Frontier for Private Jets
With the financial barriers to entering private aviation shrinking yearly, naturally questions swirl around environmental impacts as demand for shared flights balloons. Particularly given empty legs hovering around 30% across most operators currently.
The greatest concern focuses on carbon emissions, though accurate apples-to-apples calculations prove slippery. Wide variances in aircraft models, loading factors and route directness skew straight equivalencies. Nonetheless, industry groups conservatively estimate an average private jet journey generates 2-3 times the emissions of flying commercial. Albeit ferrying far fewer passengers obviously – typically 8 wealthy individuals rather than 180. Financial elites counter that eliminating 1-2 dozen coach seats to accommodate not only fails to "democratizes" air travel as touted.
Yet innovation marchs steadily forward as more entries recognize ecologically conscious offerings will attract positive attention, Millenials most notably wish to mingle only with eco-friendly brands.
Surging Sustainability in Private Jet Sector
Electric Planes
Pioneers like Rolls Royce, Airbus and Boeing steaming ahead with plans for battery-operated craft. Flooding R&D towards higher capacity batteries and hydrogen fuel cell solutions.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Several operators blend biofuels and synthetics aiming to reach 50% saturation. Significantly lowers particulate emissions though remains 3-4 times costlier.
Carbon Offsetting
Partnerships with conservation groups let passengers compensate emissions by funding environmental projects. Critics argue practices allow the wealthy to pay to pollute rather than reducing flights.
Clearly steadfast action towards carbon neutrality in commercial air travel should incentivize private carriers to follow suit quickly. Especially with sustainability acting as a key purchasing filter for newly monied generations entering the arena.
While the carefree lifestyle symbolized by private planes attracts aspirants, neglecting responsible values risks alienating those replacing aging elite flyers. So whether altruistic or shrewdly strategic, Time will tell if private jetsetters choose planet-friendly adaptations allowing guilt-free zipping between cities and coasts.
Final Boarding Call for Flying in Style
In the four years since my maiden private voyage, Airball continues ascending the industry‘s hierarchy with memorandums of understanding from mammoths like Qatar Airways. Further validating its semi-private model balancing luxury and affordability. Though still far from an impulse purchase, introduction rates keep plunging.
Clearly onboarding additional passengers onto repositioning legs generates profits that benefit all parties. Optimizing asset utilization while delighting flyers who relish sampling the 0.1% lifestyle once reserved for moguls and celebrities. Add in digital tools pooling inventory for transparency and pre-vetted safety, what‘s not to love?
Besides the psychological allure of momentarily inhabiting rarified airspace, private planes proffer practical gifts too. Eliminating the time-suck hassles of commercial travel unlocks freedom to maximize passions. Rather than helplessly enduring delays, soulless terminals and baggage claim battles. I‘ll raise a champagne flute to that any day!
So if you likewise aviation aficionados who‘ve fantasized about your close-up amongst the clouds, don‘t deny your dreams wings anymore. One scrumptious taste of floating through the skies without a care could have you forsaking terrestrial tedium permanently.
Spend more hours passionately engaged in what sets your soul afire. Save hundreds of precious days no longer wasted wheezing through tedious tubes from A to B like package freight. Graduating to private air travel stands poised to upgrade your quality of life immeasurably.
Let Airball and the new generation of digital aviation angels give your wildest jetset dreams lift off. Time to claim those wings and your very own place amongst aviation royalty!